Disposable and collapsible storage and shipping container



Aug. 22, 1967 1-,. a. PETERSON NTAINBR DISPOSABLE AND COLLAPS IBLEST OHAGE AND STII'PPIIJG CO Filed, ril 15, 1965 Maw/m r ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofifice 3,337,036 Patented Aug. 22, 1967 Particular difiiculty is encountered in shipping and storing powdered or granular materials. The materials must either be transferred from a storage container to a shipping container and thence back to a storage container after transportation, or they must be originally placed in a shipping container and kept there throughout storage and shipping until time of use.

Usually, cumbersome, expensive pallets or built-in devices are used to facilitate the loading and unloading of conventional containers by conventional lifting apparatus. These containers are usually designed to handle a specific load and cannot be adapted to handle materials of various densities.

Conventional shipping and storage containers require a complete decontamination before use and reuse. The disposable containers which utilize corrugations require expensive coating to secure a moisture barrier and must be reinforced to withstand heavy load pressures.

Therefore, a principal object of this invention is to provide a storage and shipping container which has the ability to expand when internal pressures are applied thereto but which still maintains the contained load in a well defined shape.

A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable, collapsible storage and shipping container which utilizes low cost kraft paper which is reinforced and laminated to a low cost corrugated material to achieve the necessary strength to maintain the load in a well defined shape but which has the ability to expand in a predetermined amount.

A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable and collapsible storage and shipping container having lift tunnels associated therewith which provide an easy entry for two-way pickup and movement from place to place by conventional lifting apparatus.

A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable and collapsible storage and shipping container which has lift tunnels associated therewith and which is capable of handling 2,000 pounds or more of which can easily be folded into a compact size when not in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable and collapsible shipping and storage container which may be easily disposed of after use due to its economical cost.

A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable and collapsible storage and shipping container which is easily sealed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable and collapsible storage and shipping container which is adjustable to accommodate materials having various densities for specified load requirements.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a disposable and collapsible storage and shipping container which is impervious to A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable and collapsible storage and shipping container having lift tunnels associated therewith which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the container while in an empty condition with a portion thereof cutaway to more fully illustrate the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container in a filled condition;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the cover unit fold;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the corrugated cardboard reinforcing which is secured to the lower end of the base unit; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the bottom sheet member after it has been collapsed but before it has been folded.

The numeral 10 generally designates the disposable The glue used in this container is a water-soluble latex glue, which permits the seams thereon to slip slightly without allowing any separation thereof. Bottom sheet member 15 is formed into the shape illustrated in FIG. 1 such a manner so that four corners or fold lines are produced thereby creating sides 25, 27, 29 and 31. Sheet member 15 is then folded so that sides 27 and 31 are folded inwardly (FIG. 5) and so that sides 25 and 29 are adjacent each other in a superimposed relationship. The lower edges of sides 25, 27, 29 and 31 are glued and twice folded upon themselves to form a fold 33. Bottom sheet member 15 is then unfolded to the position seen in FIG. 1.

A sheet of corrugated cardboard 35 having paper strips 37 and 39 glued thereto (FIG. 4) is glued to the bottom of sheet member 15 and extends partially upwardly on sides 25 and 29. Sheet 37 has a smooth surface on its exterior surface as best illustrated in FIG. 4. Sheet 37 reinforces the container bottom to enable it to withstand greater pressures than otherwise possible.

Intermediate sheet member 17 is comprised of corrugated cardboard having a smooth outer surface as illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes opposite end edges 39 and 41. Sheet member 17 is formed as seen in FIG. 1 by overlapping and gluing end edges 39 and 41. The lower end of sheet member 17 is received by the upper end of sheet member 15 as seen in FIG. 1 and is glued to sides 25, 27, 29 and 31.

Upper sheet member 19 includes opposite end edges 43 and 45 which are overlapped and glued, upper end 47 and lower end 49. Lower end 49 embraces the upper end of sheet member 17 and is glued thereto. The entire upper end of sheet member 19 may be folded downwardly and inwardly to reduce the height of the container and hence reduce the capacity of the container. FIG. 1 illustrates the upper end in the process of being turned downwardly.

As seen in FIG. 1, the numeral 13 generally designates the cover unit of the container which includes a sheet member 51 having a lower end 53, an upper end 65 and opposite end edges 67 and 69 which are overlapped and glued. Sheet member 51 is folded at 71 identically to the manner in which fold 33 was formed as previously described. Sheet member 51 is provided with a cutaway por- 3 .on 73 which serves as a fill hole. A paper flap 75 is glued t one of its ends to sheet member 51 (FIG. 1) and is dapted to extend over the fill hole as desired.

The numerals 77 and 77 generally designate fork ;uides which are adapted to be positioned below the botom of base unit 11 for a purpose to be explained later. nasmuch as fork guides 77 and 77 are identical only guide 77 will be described with indicating identical :tructure on guide 77'. Guide 77 includes wooden sides 79 and 81 having stops 83 and 85 secured thereto and ex- :ending therebetween and a cardboard bottom 87.

Sheet members 15, 19 and 51 may be constructed of asphalt paper or wet strength extensible kraft paper. The kraft paper consists of two layers of paper laminated together with polyethylene and reinforced with fiber glass netting therebetween. Preferably, the fiber glass netting should have one-half inch square openings.

The container is used as follows: Fork guides 71 and 71 are placed on the ground or any convenient supporting surface as illustrated in FIG. 1. Base unit 11 is then unfolded from its normally fiat collapsed condition and placed on fork guides 71 and 71' as illustrated in FIG. 1. The upper end of sheet member 19 may or may not be folded inwardly and downwardly as previously described depending on the desired container capacity. Cover unit 13 is then placed over the upper end of base unit 11 and moved downwardly on base unit 11 as far as possible. The material to be shipped is then placed in container through the fill hole provided in cover unit 13. When base unit 11 has been filled, the upper end of cover unit 11 is flattened to the position seen in FIG. 2. Flap 75 is folded over the fill hole and taped shut to prevent moisture from entering the container. The lower end of cover unit 13 is taped to sides 25, 27, 29 and 31 to also prevent moisture from entering the container. Cover unit 13 maintains the shape and appearance of the container by preventing the upper end of base unit 11 from spreading or bulging out.

The weight of the material in the container causes the bottom thereof to assume the shape best illustrated in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 2, the lower end of base unit 11 droops downwardly over fork guides 71 and 71 adjacent sides 27 and 31. The center bottom portion of the container droops downwardly between fork guides 71 and 71 to permit the container bottom to serve as a part of the pallet. The fork guides permit the container to be moved by a conventional fork lift by extending the forks into the fork guides. The cardboard bottoms on the fork guides insure that the forks on the fork lift will be able to extend thereinto when the containers are stacked on top of one another. If the cardboard bottoms were not present, the lower container would have a tendency to extend upwardly between sides 79 and 81 and interfere with the entrance of the forks. Stops 83 and 85 on the fork guides prevent the container from sliding when the forks enter the fork guides. The container may be emptied by dumping the contents from the upper end or by puncturing the bottom.

The container serves as a storage container as well as a shipping container. The low cost of manufacture of the container allows the container to be disposed of after its use if desired or it may be cleaned and used again.

The container is extremely lightweight but very strong. It, can be folded flat and occupies a minimum of space in a collapsed condition.

Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my disposable and collapsible storage and shipping container without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included Within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a disposable and collapsible container,

a hollow base unit having a bottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom and an open upper end,

a cover unit having an open lower end, sides and a closable upper end, said cover unit embracing the upper portion of said base unit to prevent said base unit from losing its shape when material is placed therein through said closable upper end of said cover unit,

and a pair of spaced apart fork guides positioned below the bottom of said base unit, each of said fork guides is comprised of spaced apart vertical sides, a bottom secured to and extending between said sides and spaced stops secured to the upper ends of said sides and extending therebetween.

2. In a disposable and collapsible container,

a hollow base unit having a bottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom,

a quantity of material in said base unit,

a cover means to close the upper portion of said base unit,

and a pair of spaced apart fork guides positioned below the bottom of said base unit,

said bottom of said base unit being flexible where it will be deflected downwardly on each side of said fork guides when material is placed in said base unit to hold said fork guides against lateral movement with respect to said base unit.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said cover unit has a fill hole formed in its upper end which is closable by a flat member secured thereto.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said cover unit member has its upper end closed by means of said sheet member being first collapsed and then having its upper end edges twice folded upon themselves and sealed.

5. In a disposable and collapsible container,

a hollow base unit having a bottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom and an open upper end,

and a cover unit having an open lower end, sides and a closable upper end, said cover unit embracing the upper portion of said base unit to prevent said base unit from losing its shape when material is placed therein through said closable upper end of said cover unit,

said base unit including a bottom sheet member, an intermediate sheet member and a top sheet member,

said bottom sheet member having a closable bottom, an open upper end and opposite end edges which are overlapped and secured together,

said intermediate sheet member having open upper and lower ends and opposite end edges which are over lapped and secured together, said intermediate sheet member being received by and secured to the upper end of said bottom sheet member,

said top sheet member having opposite end edges which are overlapped and secured together and open upper and lower ends, the upper end of said intermediate sheet member being received by and secured to the lower end of said top sheet member.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein said intermediate sheet member is comprised of corrugated cardboard having a smooth outer surface.

7. In a disposable and collapsible container,

a hollow base unit having a bottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom and an open upper end,

and a cover unit having an open lower end, sides and a closable upper end, said cover unit embracing the upper portion of said base unit to prevent said base unit from losing its shape when material is placed therein through said closable upper end of said cover unit,

said base unit having at least a pair of flexible strips of material secured to its bottom and a sheet member having corrugated cardboard on one side thereof embracing and secured to said strips and said base unit bottom to reinforce said base unit.

8. In a disposable and collapsible container,

a hollow base unit having a bottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom and an open upper end,

and a cover unit having an open lower end, sides and a closable upper end, said cover unit embracing the upper portion of said base unit to prevent said base unit from losing its shape when material is placed therein through said closable upper end of said cover unit,

said base unit including a bottom sheet member, an

intermediate sheet member and a top sheet member,

said bottom sheet member having a closable bottom, an open upper end and opposite end edges which are overlapped and secured together,

said intermediate sheet member having open upper and lower ends and opposite end edges which are overlapped and secured together, said intermediate sheet member being received by and secured to the upper end of said bottom sheet member,

said top sheet member having opposite end edges which are overlapped and secured together and open upper and lower ends, the upper end of said intermediate sheet member being received by and secured to the lower end of said top sheet member,

said top sheet member being foldable inwardly and downwardly to decrease the effective height and capacity of said base unit.

9. In a disposable and collapsible container,

a hollow base unit having a bottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom,

said hollow base unit comprised of a bottom portion formed from flexible material, an intermediate sheet member of a relatively stiff material secured to and extending upwardly from said bottom portion, an upper sheet member formed of flexible material secured to and extending upwardly from said intermediate sheet member,

and a cover unit of flexible material having a closed upper end and an open lower end inserted over the upper portion of said base unit to prevent said base unit from losi therein.

g its shape when material is placed 10. The container of claim 9 wherein said bottom portion, upper sheet member and cover unit are comprised of two layers of paper laminated together with polyethylene and fiber glass netting 11. The container of claim 9 wherein said tion, upper sheet me of asphalt paper.

12. In a disposable and therebetween.

bottom pormber and cover unit are comprised collapsible container,

a hollow base unit having a bottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom,

a quantity of material in said base unit,

a cover unit inserted over the upper portion of said base unit to prevent said base unit from losing its shape when material is placed therein,

and a pair of spaced apart fork guides positioned below the bottom of said base unit,

said bottom of said base unit being flexible where it will be deflected downwardly on each side of said fork guides when material is placed in said base unit to hold said fork with respect to said guides against lateral movement base unit.

References Cited UNITED FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner. 

1. IN A DISPOSABLE AND COLLAPSINBLE CONTAINER, A HOLLOW BASE UNIT HAVING A BOTTOM AND SIDES EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM AND AN OPEN UPPER END, A COVER UNIT HAVING AN OPEN LOWER END, SIDES AND A CLOSABLE UPPER END, SAID COVER UNIT EMBRACING THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID BASE UNIT TO PREVENT SAID BASE UNIT FROM LOSING ITS SHAPE WHEN MATERIAL IS PLACED THEREIN THROUGH SAID CLOSABLE UPPER END OF SAID COVER UNIT, AND A PAIR OF SPACED APART FORK GUIDES POSITIONED BELOW THE BOTTOM OF SAID BASE UNIT, EACH OF SAID FORK GUIDES IS COMPRISED OF SPACED APART VERTICAL SIDES, A BOTTOM SECURED TO AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SIDES AND SPACED STOPS SECURED TO THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID SIDES AND EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN. 